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(No Mqaex.) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

B. B. INMAN. 1GB BREAKING BOAT.

No. 593,664. ,laentd Nov. 16, 1897'.

will

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

B. B. INMAN.

ICE BREAKING BOAT.

yPatented Nov. 16

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

.BYRON BONAPARTE INMAN, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO HIRAM y GASS INMAN,'OF SAME PLACE.

ICE-BREAKING BOAT.

SPECIFICATION-forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,664, dated November 16, 189'?. Application filed February 18,1897. Serial No. 623,262. (No model.) I

tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use V the same.

This invention has for its object the formation of an ice-plow for opening a channel through ice in sheets and hammocks for vessels to pass; and the invention consists in the provision of a propeller vessel with a ram-prow projecting forward somewhat bulb-like under water to catch and lift the ice, so as to cause it to break from the under side and'rise, and in a plow-like curve from the prow backward, upward, and sidewise, so as to cause the ice to be lifted and turned over sidewise each way onto the space outsideof a channel wide enough for the desired passage, being of such shape as to throw the ice sidewise farthest at a point near the front of the vessel, so the ice will rise by a short continuous motion and fall over outside of the passage-way desired, out of the way of the side and center of the vessel, and so the vessel will not have to force the ice-pack sidewise bodily to open the way.

This invention also consistsin the peculiar shape given to this front prow, so as to cause the ice to rise up and fall sidewise out of the passage-way, and in other useful details. These are made and used substantially as set forth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a vessel of this invention. Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are details of the improved front of the vessel.

A vessel with a suitable propeller is provided with a prow A, as shown, larger in crosssection at the front shoulder B than amidships, and with a projecting ram-nose C in front, somewhat bulb shape, to come under the ice and lift vit and cause -it to crack and part in front, and with a moldboard or plow-like surface on each side D backward from the front to turn the ice upward and backward to the sides and cause it to turn over and fall outward onto the side ice beyond the reach of front shoulder B instead of simplybreaking up the ice and crowding the pieces sidewise into a ridge, and so as to leave a passage-way open and clean of loose ice. Various modifications may be made.

I claim- 1. An ice-breaking boat, the prow of which is projected or enlarged forward and on both sides below the water-line so that it approximates an oval form in front elevation whereby with the progress of the vessel the ice is forced upward from beneath and turned over upon the solid ice, out of the channel.

2. A propeller vessel made with a ram-nose projected under water and swelling rounded or bulb-like in front, while sharper and smaller back of such bulb with plow-moldboard-like curves to shoulders B, wider than the vessel amidships,adapted to lift and break the ice from below and to turn the sheets over to thesides out of the way substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature in presence of two witnesses. v

BYRON BONAPARTE INMAN.

Witnesses Y O. B. WooDBUEY, L. L. JOHNSON. 

